ADM Advocates

“If you bring 100 elite hockey people in the United States into a room and say, 'Do you like the ADM?' Ninety-eight of them are going to say it's great. Anyone who really knows what's going on with the game of hockey right now wants the ADM.”

“The program is absolutely fantastic. I know its implementation will take some time, but the principles behind the program are dead on.”

BRIAN BURKECalgary Flames president of hockey operations and the general manager for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team.

“In a world where youth sports are under scrutiny because of specialization, politics, or parental issues, USA Hockey’s American Development Model is the solution. The age-specific and age-appropriate training keeps kids excited about coming to the rink, while also developing them and guiding them on a path to achieve their full potential. The bottom line is, the ADM has found a way to develop skills, commitment and athleticism, all the while making it fun and entertaining for the athletes. It’s a fantastic program.”

“The American Development Model has made a huge impact on our young athletes, and by staying committed to the ADM, we'll continue giving them the overall skill development they need.”

PHIL HOUSLEYBuffalo Sabres head coach, 2013 gold-medal winning U.S. National Junior Team head coach, highest-scoring American defenseman in NHL history

“We should always strive to do the right things for kids, and the American Development Model does that. I think as hockey has evolved in our country, coaches and parents have certainly tried to do the right thing in regard to development. But we haven’t had a national blueprint for associations to use – something that is based on solid research — until now. This is a major step forward and USA Hockey is to be commended for its leadership.”

RON WILSON2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team head coach, top-10 all-time winningest coach in NHL history

“Having coached now in two different states, New York and Connecticut, I think it's an absolutely perfect model. And the cross-ice hockey is fantastic for every single mite, whether it's a mature mite who can skate and shoot, almost like a squirt, or a beginner mite who might be smaller and has trouble getting up and down the ice.”

"I think it's pretty cool (the American Development Model). I like the fact that kids are encouraged to play other sports. Hockey is a great sport, but playing other sports definitely helps you become a better hockey player."

ZACH PARISEMinnesota Wild forward, U.S. Olympian, University of North Dakota alumnus

“You put a young child on a full-length golf course and have them play from the blues when they're 7 years old and a lot of those kids probably wouldn't want to continue playing the game. Why would you do it in hockey, when you could do a cross-ice game instead? The kids will get more touches of the puck and the goalkeepers will be more active and make more saves. In a cross-ice game, they're going to see much more action.”

BOB DANIELSFerris State University men's hockey head coach, two-time NCAA coach of the year, hockey dad